"State your reason for being in a private office before I blow your brains out," he barked out, pressing the gun to my head. Private office? How the hell was I supposed to know it was off-limits? "Speak! Now!" I shook in fear. "I..I got lost. I didn't know I wasn't supposed to be here. I'm sorry, please don't shoot me," I pleaded, as I closed my eyes and prayed to God that I don't end up dead without any of my loved ones close to me, and certainly not here. "Stand down, Gideon," Someone said, making me sigh in relief. I felt him draw back the gun he had at the back of my head. I stayed down on the ground, not sure if I was giving permission to get up. You see, I value my life very much. "Get up." I didn't need to be told twice. Getting up from the ground, I slowly turned to the men standing before me in black suits, holding guns. I shivered when my eyes found the one who had his gun on me. "What's your name?" "Lauren Hart," I lifted my chin, hoping my voice sounded more firm than it did to me. "I didn't mean to come in here. I'm here for the interview, and I was pushed through a door. I couldn't go back and the only way out was through an elevator. It got me up here. If you thought I was here to steal, you are mistaken." Forcing myself to be brave, I continued, "Please, just let me go." They glanced at each other and it didn't take me a minute to realize they were communicating with each other through their eyes. The one who I thought was the leader made a gesture before one of them walked out of the office. "So...how about I just leave?" I smiled and made a move forward before my view was blocked. "or...not." I took a couple of steps back. "Look, there's no reason for me to be here anymore. I already told you I didn't steal anything. Just let me be on my way. I've got an interview to go to." They simply ignored me. Then... I shivered. At once, the air shifted around. The chill of the office blasted me, making my heart beat fast in my chest. I could almost feel a rush of emotion, a powerful force seeking to prove its fury. I gripped my bag tightly, the feeling almost knocking me off my feet. I heard the angry footsteps before I spotted him. I swear... I stopped breathing. Standing, his powerful pose made my breath caught in my throat. He breathed hard, his broad, well-muscled chest rising and falling as if he'd just ran a marathon. He was dressed in black from head to toe; black Armani suit, shirt, and tie that made his powerful arms and his chest seemed almost alive, almost challenging anyone to doubt his fierceness and hotness. He was beautiful, almost as if he had been the one to carve himself; cheekbones that would make any man and woman jealous, straight nose and red lips. And his eyes, oh god, his eyes were pure silver. It was the most intense, yet cold eyes I had ever seen in my life. He raked his fingers through his dark hair, his silver eyes almost ready to glower at any poor soul stupid enough to glance his way. His glare was hot enough to wipe the existence of mankind. This was Mason Campbell. The country's most vicious man. I gulped. The man moved out of his way as he strode in, his movements powerful and confident. He didn't take a glance at me as he took a seat behind his desk and proceeded to go through some files. No one said anything for five minutes, and I was beginning to get tired and my legs started to feel numb. No one was acknowledging me, and no one was ready to let me go just yet. Another five minutes before he raised his big, strong hand and waved me away. I released the breath I was holding and turned around to leave when I got a glare from Gideon as his men started to leave the office. My stomach dropped then. He didn't wave me away. They all left, and I was alone in his powerful presence. I tried to act natural, but damn it I was failing. I stayed frozen on my spot, but I kept moving my arms and legs around, just so I could stop being so nervous. I wanted to stare at Mason Campbell, but I was scared if I did, I would be turned into ashes or turned into a stone. Neither sounded okay at all. "Stop disturbing my peace," His voice soft, yet cold and deadly. I wasn't even aware he knew I was here. Making no attempt to hide his perturbation, Mason Campbell fixed his darkest look on me, the girl who had dared disrupt his peace. "Or I would do something about it." My chest grew so tight I could barely breathe. Fear pounded through me, the image of myself lying cold and dead in an abandoned place flashed through my mind, stirring deep emotions in me. I nearly peed in my knickers. "Take a seat." With shaking legs, I was quick to sit down in one of the chairs in front of him, deciding I was safer if I could have been out of his view. But I didn't have any choice. "Why are you here?" he asked without taking his eyes off the papers he was writing on. I wanted to take a peek, to see what his handwriting looked like. Was it ugly? Was it beautiful? I knew it was the latter though. I shifted in my seat, willing myself to speak before he got any angry. I remember full well what they say about Mason Campbell. The only wildly intense emotions he had ever experienced in his life was anger and cold darkness of his own heart. They said he had a rage so fierce it chilled the bones of people. I had thought it was insane, that he couldn't be what everyone says about him, but I was starting to think otherwise. "I...i...I..w.." I stammered in fear, the sentence I meant to say cowering behind my heart. Mason stopped writing and he suddenly glanced up at me. The powerful silver eyes that collided with mine made me gulp down. He continued to bore holes in me with a decidedly pointed stare. "Careful what you say," he said before tilting his head. "Do I...frighten you?" I licked my lips before speaking, "Is that a trick question?" I quietly asked. Not getting any answer in return, I added, "Y...yes." He lifted a perfect brow. "Oh?"